In response to the alarming increase in air pollution levels, the Delhi government has announced the reintroduction of the odd-even vehicle scheme. The move aims to mitigate the hazardous air quality that has gripped the nation’s capital, with cars permitted to ply on alternate days based on their registration numbers.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, in a statement on Monday, revealed that the scheme will be enforced between November 13 and 20, immediately following Diwali. Despite a ban on firecrackers in the capital, authorities are anticipating a surge in pollution levels after the festival.
“Firecrackers are not allowed in Delhi. Yet, they were burst in previous years. The police have been asked to crack down on this. We also urge the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to stop the bursting of crackers… We have decided to bring back the odd-even scheme after Diwali. Number plates ending with 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will be allowed on odd days, and those with 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 on even days,” stated Rai.
In addition to the reintroduction of the odd-even scheme, Rai announced the closure of schools until November 10 for all students except those in classes 10 and 12. Classes for the primary section have already been suspended.
Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) have been shrouded in a toxic haze for four consecutive days, with pollution levels persisting at seven to eight times above the recommended limits. The air quality was categorised as “severe plus” on Sunday for the second time in three days, prompting strict measures, including the prohibition of polluting trucks’ entry into the city.
Unfavourable wind conditions and a surge in farm fires across northern India have aggravated the pollution crisis. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) reported 4,160 farm fires in northern India on Sunday, the highest this season, with Punjab alone recording 3,230 stubble-burning incidents, according to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC).
The Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened from 415 on Saturday to 454 on Sunday, triggering the implementation of all emergency measures under the final Stage-IV of the central government’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Under Stage-IV of GRAP, only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states will be permitted to enter Delhi, with exemptions for essential services. The ban will also apply to all medium and heavy goods vehicles not engaged in essential services, as stated by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region.
Delhi’s AQI stood at 440 on Monday morning, with several neighbouring cities in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh also reporting hazardous air quality levels.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that conditions favourable for the dispersion of pollutants are expected to develop from Tuesday night onwards under the influence of an upcoming western disturbance.
The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter harmful to respiratory health, has exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times at multiple locations throughout Delhi-NCR. This is 30 to 40 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
In addition to school closures and government employees encouraged to work online, there is also a ban on construction work related to linear public projects.